John Gard

Infobox_State Representative
name = John Gard

---

width =140
height =185
date of birth = birth date and age|1963|03|08
place of birth = Lena, Wisconsin
state_assembly =Wisconsin
speaker =
term_start2 =2003
term_end2 =2007
predecessor2 =
successor2 =Michael Huebsch
state_assembly = Wisconsin
district = 89^th
term_start = 1987
term_end = 2007
preceded =
succeeded = John Nygren
party = Republican
religion =
spouse = Cathy Zeuske Gard

John Gard (born August 3, 1963 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) was a Republican member of the Wisconsin State Assembly representing the 89th Assembly District from 1987 until 2007. He served as Speaker of the State Assembly from 2003 until 2007.

Gard was also the Republican nominee for U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 8th congressional district in 2006 and 2008, running against Democratic nominee Steve Kagen both times.

Gard graduated from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He is married to Cathy Zeuske, a former Wisconsin State Representative, State Treasurer, and Revenue Secretary under former Governor Tommy Thompson. They have two children: Elizabeth (Libby) and John Vincent. In 2007, the Gard family moved from Peshtigo to the Howard-Suamico area.

2006 8th congressional district election

*2006 general election results for Wisconsin's 8th congressional district
**Steven L. Kagen (D), 141,598, 51%
**John Gard (R), 134,990, 49%

With four-term incumbent Republican Mark Green running for Governor of Wisconsin, Wisconsin's 8th congressional district seat became an open seat.

Gard was the Republican nominee, defeating State Rep. Terri McCormick of Appleton in the September 12, 2006 Republican primary. He lost to Democrat Steve Kagen of Appleton in the November 7, 2006 mid-term election, 51–49%, in the most expensive congressional race in state history.Fact|date=May 2008 Gard's loss was part of the national Republican defeat. Issues that dominated the election were the Iraq War, healthcare, immigration, and pork barrel spending. Gard was able to carry his home county of Marinette with 51.4% of the vote and neighboring Oconto County by 52.1%. He lost Brown County, home to Green Bay, by less than 1,000 votes (less than 1%). Kagen carried his home county of Outagamie with 54.5% of the vote. [http://elections.state.wi.us/docview.asp?docid=10034&locid=47]

2008 8th congressional district election

John Gard announced on Sunday April 27, 2008 that he would again run against Democratic incumbent Steve Kagen for 8th district representative. [ [www.gardforcongress.com] ] The Cook Political Report claims the race 'leans Democrat' even though the district is considered to "lean-Republican" with a Partisan Voting Index (PVI) of R +4. The other GOP potential candidates have dropped out of the race; including State Assemblymen Frank Lasse and Steve Wieckert, and former Green Bay Mayor Paul Jadin. As of August 20, 2008, incumbent Rep. Steve Kagen had raised $1,430,302 in funds, compared to Gard's $1,017,348. [ [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=WI08&cycle=2008 Congressional Elections: Wisconsin District 08 Race: 2008 Cycle | OpenSecrets ] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.gardforcongress.com/ John Gard 2008 Campaign website]
* [http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Gard Profile] at SourceWatch Congresspedia